Abstract: Welding torch system for use in welding or cutting operations during which fume is created. The welding torch system has a welding torch comprising a contact tip holder and a coaxial nozzle comprising an inner shield gas conduit having a shield gas outlet for supplying a shield gas. The inner shield gas conduit surrounds the contact tip holder. An outer shell at least partly surrounds said inner shield gas conduit. The welding torch system further comprises a shield gas generator and supply unit for supplying shield gas through the shield gas outlet and a fume extracting assembly for extracting fume and ambient air. The welding torch system is arranged for—during operation—supplying shield gas through the shield gas outlet at a velocity between about 1.5 m/s and 10 m/s. By operating the fume extracting assembly to generate a flow of between 10 and 100 m3/h, preferably a flow of about 55 m3/h a reduction in the area of 90%-95% of hazardous fumes can then be realized.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting a liquid into live animals, comprising a cradle plate (18) having a cradle (24) for accommodating at least a part of an animal, sensors (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) for detecting a force acting upon the cradle plate, an injection mechanism (16) for injecting liquid into the animal, and a control unit (38) for triggering the injection mechanism (16) in response to signals received from the sensors, wherein at least three sensors (20-1-, 20-2, 20-3) are arranged for measuring forces with which the cradle plate (18) is pressed against a base (12) in at least three non-aligned positions, and the control unit (38) is adapted to trigger the injection mechanism (16) when the forces measured by the sensors are distributed according to a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Device and method for determining a rheological property, such as viscosity or threadability, of mucus include a housing having a circumferential surface defining an opening for receiving a quantity of the mucus, a probe extending within the housing and having a tip for contacting at least a portion of the quantity of mucus, a displacement mechanism for displacing the tip of the probe with respect to the housing, and a measurement unit for measuring a displacement of the tip of the probe. The device and method are especially suitable for determining the rheological property of mammal cervical mucus for determining female fertility.

Abstract: A multifunctional hairdresser's tool, with which, in combination with an assortment of replaceable blades, different cutting techniques can be carried out. The tool comprises a holder (1) with a handle (3) in which a blade is held by a coupling system. The blade can be fixed in various positions. The assortment of replaceable blades varies from an adapted design of a known type of blade to different completely new types of blades.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a plurality of transmission lanes in a data transmission system includes the step of extracting individual lane parameters in the data transmission system independently of a transmitted training sequence.

Abstract: Device and method for determining a rheological property, such as viscosity or threadability, of mucus comprising a housing having a circumferential surface defining an opening for receiving a quantity of the mucus, a probe extending within the housing and having a tip for contacting at least a portion of the quantity of mucus, a displacement mechanism for displacing the tip of the probe with respect to the housing, and a measurement unit for measuring a displacement of the tip of the probe. The device and method are especially suitable for determining the rheological property of mammal cervical mucus for determining female fertility.

Abstract: A multifunctional hairdresser's tool, with which, in combination with an assortment of replaceable blades, different cutting techniques can be carried out. The tool comprises a holder (1) with a handle (3) in which a blade is held by a coupling system. The blade can be fixed in various positions. The assortment of replaceable blades varies from an adapted design of a known type of blade to different completely new types of blades.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a plurality of transmission lanes in a data transmission system includes the step of extracting individual lane parameters in the data transmission system independently of a transmitted training sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for performing welding operations, comprising: a core member in which can be guided a welding wire connectable to a voltage source; an extraction member arranged on the outside of the core member for extracting substances inconvenient to the welder; a gas supply member arranged on the outside of the extraction member for supplying gas. The invention also relates to an assembly for welding a weldment, comprising: a device as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, welding wire supply means for supplying welding wire; gas supply means for supplying gas via the gas supply member; a voltage source for applying electrical voltage between the welding wire and the weldment; pumping means for exhausting substances inconvenient to the welder via the extraction member.

Abstract: A method adapted for implementation in a computer system for correcting and half toning color data in a list of colors is provided. Starting with the first color in the list, color corrections are performed. Using traditional half toning methods, descriptions of the resulting printable dots for each position in the halftone matrix for that color are determined. Color corrections and half toning are repeated for each of the colors in the list. A lookup table is compiled. As each pixel of the image from which the list of colors was compiled is encountered, the printable dots are determined by reference to the lookup table.

Abstract: Automatic print rate-controlling and pen-servicing method and apparatus are described for power management and for determining appropriate servicing intervals for plural-pen ink-jet printers. The preferred method involves counting the number of drops of ink that are fired from each of plural pens in the printer's printhead carriage and optionally calculating the pen firing rate such that printer throughput can be controlled to limit time-averaged power and such that pen servicing frequency can be based upon the need for such servicing. The counts are maintained in memory connected, for example, with the printer's microcontroller, as are parameters that the microcontroller uses to determine appropriate drop count-based print rate controlling or pen servicing that reduce printer throughput only to the extent necessary.

Abstract: Bidirectional interleaving of tri-color and black ink-jet pen print pass carriage retrace periods by the invention are utilized whenever possible for black printing. Preferably, printer controller logic used to determine next print direction monitors and records a most recent, or last, black print direction indicium such as a flag stored in memory. If certain predetermined last black print direction criteria are met, the next black print pass is performed in the opposite direction from that of the most recent color print pass, thereby increasing printer throughput. In accordance with the invention, typical tricolor and black printed swaths require up to three color print passes, one black print pass during retrace and only two non-printing retraces, thereby saving time and motion that otherwise would be wasted performing two additional, non-printing retraces.

Abstract: A synchronized wiper and pen motion solution for ink-jet printers is described. The invented method and apparatus synchronize the motion of the pen and wiper throughout the wipe stroke, and provide for controlled, simultaneous movement therebetween that avoids pole vaulting, excess interference and ink flicking. Such is accomplished by moving the carriage to a defined position shy of a wiping position above the service station including a sled mounting the wiper; raising the sled to produce a proper interference fit between the wiper and the pen while simultaneously moving the carriage at low speed; continuing the wipe stroke by high-speed carriage movement with the sled stationary; and, at the end of the stroke, lowering the sled to clear the wiper from contact with the pen before reversing carriage motion. The solution lends itself to single- or plural-pen ink-jet printers.

Abstract: Carriage and paper motion overlap method and apparatus are described. The preferred method utilizes carriage ramp-down and unidirectional, constant-speed periods of time to advance paper via the printer's paper advancement mechanism while avoiding current-intensive ramp-up periods of time during which demands on the printer's power supply are high. The printer's controller is programmed to implement preferably concurrently operable processes one of which controls paper movement and the other of which controls carriage movement. The processes signal one another based upon their monitoring of defined conditions of the printer and the print buffer, and by setting and clearing a flag.